In a move to bolster its AI capabilities, Apple is in discussions with major news publishers such as Condé Nast, NBC News, and IAC to license their news archives. The company aims to use this content to train its generative AI systems. These talks involve multiyear deals worth at least $50 million.
The response from the publishers is mixed. While some express positivity about the potential partnership, others are wary, fearing potential legal liabilities arising from Apple’s use of their content. Apple’s plans for news and generative AI appear vague to some publishers, adding to the uncertainty.
Apple’s recent efforts in artificial intelligence, although not as widely publicized as those of its rivals such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, have been substantial. The company has been heavily investing in AI, reportedly spending millions of dollars a day on AI, releasing a machine learning framework, and optimizing the ability to run large language models on phones. Apple is also revamping Siri and planning AI-focused features for future iOS releases.